Not worth the money

Item: Norwegian Joy
Rating: 3.4
Author: Islandmama53047

Norwegian Joy Cruise Review to Mexico

Islandmama53047

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 35

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5

7 Night Mexican Riviera (Los Angeles Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 05, 2023

Ship: Norwegian Joy

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11776

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

This was my first and last time on NCL. You don't feel special on this boat. You feel like you are always being charged extra for everything. The haven class gets all the attention. They even have one elevator blocked off for them.

Embarkation

2 out of 5

very slow. long long lines

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5

Main dining room food wasn't good. Specialty restaurants charged you extra for things like lobster and steak.

Teppanyaki

5 out of 5

Great food and exertainment. Well worth the visit. You get a lot of food.

Le Bistro French Restaurant

4 out of 5

Great food. The problem is everything is an extra charge. You pay for specialty dinning. The lobster is extra $25. The filet is an extra $10. Such a scam.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5

Not a lot of activities. Games like bingo and lets make a deal way over priced.

Entertainment

2 out of 5

Footlose was the worst show I ever seen. You have to prebook the shows.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

The main issue is they only come in and make up your room once. They don't come back in the evening,. They don't even put a chocolate on your pillow.

Ship Quality

2 out of 5

The ship's layout is terrible. The main area isn't impressive at all. Not enough stairs going up and down. Elevators take forever.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

Nice cabin

Ship tip

Pick another line. They try and charge you extra for everything.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

4 out of 5

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

4 out of 5

Went to the arches it was great. Watch out for people giving you fake money back. Got scammed out of $50.

Thumbs Up 0

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

5 out of 5

Mazatlan, Mexico

5 out of 5

The open bus tour is great.

Thumbs Up 0

Ensenada, Mexico

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

4 out of 5

8 Comments

RobLorrS 1 year ago

We just got back from MSC and they still do the rooms twice a day. Also last October Marella did twice and still putting chocs on pillows during turn down service. That said both nice to haves as opposed to deal breakers as could easily live without. Loved our last NCL cruise up there with one of our favs to date, we did think Bingo and Deal or No Deal were quite expensive but its personal choice to pay and play. Roll on the getting on the Joy this August.

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kdlovescruising 1 year ago

Cruising has changed but still fun. Chocolates stopped years ago. I've sailed Royal, Carnival, and MSC, and they don't give chocolates. Same with the once a day service. You can specifically ask for the steward to do. a second cabin service. It's nice, but for me personally, it's not a big deal. I think you may experience some of your issues on other cruiselines.

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Thanks for sharing

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AuntPinkie 1 year ago

Appreciate your feedback. Obviously you have cruised in a while. Chocolates have been gone for years on most cruise lines. Once per day room service was a thing they tried to introduce before Covid. The restart with less staff just made it easier to implement. Maybe the current style of cruising isn’t for you.

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javawoody 1 year ago

Appreciate for the review

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4tanya 1 year ago

What happens in your cabin that it needs serviced more than once a day ….

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enjoyurdaysmile 1 year ago

They stopped giving chocolate on the pillow a long time ago and honestly if that's all people are worried about then buy your own chocolate. Having your cabin made up once a day it's not only on ships but also hotels. You could have called guest services and requested more towels and they will get in contact with the head up housekeeping. I was on a road trip, stayed at a hotel for two nights and I asked the housekeeping and I got my towels, the housekeeper made my bed and took out the garbage. If you don't know, if you don't ask you don't get that's my saying. If you think NCL is the only company that does this try looking up other companies. You don't have to play the games if they're too expensive you could just go into the theater and watch let's make a deal or go to wherever they're having Bingo and just have a good time just being there. It's your vacation and you make it the way you want it.

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enjoyurdaysmile 1 year ago

The Haven is only for people who are in The Haven. If you do not have a Haven then there is no reason for you to take that elevator. It's a ship not a boat there was a big difference. Also, you don't have to be nickels and dimes for things that you don't want. The specialty restaurants you don't have to eat in because that costs money you can eat in the main dining room like we do, you don't have to get the drink package which costs a lot if you're not going to drink the liquor and all of what they offer, they have a soda package if you want, Norwegian Cruise line is not the only cruise line that nickel and dimes. There are companies that have an all inclusive Virgin cruise line. Do your research if you want a cruise on another Cruise line. And I want to let you know that the cruise industry lost a lot due to covid

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Other reviews of this sailing

Winter Mexican Riviera

It was a great Cruise!

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